88 things to do in Tokyo

Hop aboard a swimming bus… and 87 other great things to do in Tokyo. Whether you're watching bikini-clad women battle it out with steel clunkers at Robot Restaurant, seeing the sights from the sky at one of the many fine rooftop restaurantsor slurping down some heavenly noodles at one of Tokyo's best ramen bars, there's always something going on in the neon city. Time Out Tokyo has your ultimate guide.

1-25

26-50

51-75

76-88

More

Opened in 2012, the unique-looking truss cantilever bridge that stretches across Tokyo Bay is nicknamed ‘Dinosaur Bridge’ (it’s obvious why when you see it) and features a pedestrian walkway offering superb views of the cityscape. (Note that the bridge is accessible from Wakasu Seaside Park.) Pedestrian pass of Tokyo Gate Bridge

Only have eyes for Shibuya? Express your feelings with a Hachiko-themed souvenir or pick up other fun knickknacks at this shop that also sells like brilliant shuriken-shaped earrings. Shibuya Souvenir Shop

At 345m above ground, Tokyo Skytree’s Sky Restaurant 634 (musashi) serves as both an observatory overlooking the city and a place to enjoy an excellent fusion of Japanese and French cuisines using plenty of local ingredients. Sky Restaurant 634 (musashi)

Siesta in a capsule...

Stay overnight or for a power nap or even just for a shower (¥700) at this neat and tidy capsule hotel that's just one minute from Ebisu Station. They have several reasonable rate plans so you can choose what's best for your needs – if you're staying the night the price starts at ¥3,500. Booking is not essential. SiestaSponsored venue

In the heart of Asakusa’s Kappabashi ‘Kitchen Town’ district, you’ll find this shrine to the art of plastic food replicas – also available in keyrings and phone straps that make great gifts. Ganso Shokuhin Sample-ya

Longing for some good ‘ol Super Nintendo action? This Longing for some good ol' Super Nintendo action? This Shinjuku café is heaven for every '80s video game fan. Play classic consoles while surrounded by antique toy figurines. 8bit Cafe

Tenugui (traditional Japanese hand towels made from dyed cotton cloth) are back in vogue and here you'll find classic patterns and seasonal motifs such as flying carp streamers and fireworks. Wear one as an accessory or hang it up on the wall as part of your decor.Kamawanu

Based around the collection of former Tobu Railway president Kaichiro Nezu, this is one of Tokyo’s best museums for traditional Japanese and East Asian art, and its Kengo Kuma-designed building and Japanese garden are stunners. Nezu Museum

Want to find out what Tokyo's animal cafés are all about? This new owl café recently opened in Shinjuku and for ¥1,500 per hour (¥1,800 on weekends and holidays) you can feed the big-eyed birds at certain times and let them sit on your shoulder. Booking essential. Mohumohu

In a city that often takes its desserts more seriously than its politics, judging the best ices on offer can be a thankless task. Japanese Ice Ouca ought to come out near the top of any best of list, however – there are no misses here. Japanese Ice Ouca

The in-house shop at the National Art Center, Tokyo does a lot more than sell postcards: it also stocks an array of Tokyo- and Japan-themed goods, including manga and art books that, as the name says, make for great souvenirs. Souvenir From Tokyo

Looking for an offbeat date spot? The regular races at Heiwajima’s Tokyo City Keiba racetrack have become a surprisingly popular destination for young couples – look out for the night-time ‘Twinkle Races’, too. Tokyo City Keiba

‘Would you like curried rice with that?’ the staff invariably ask customers when they place their first order at this upscale yakitori (grilled chicken) restaurant. Trust us: just say yes. Reservations are recommended.Ginza Torishige

Freeze-dried food manufacturer Amano Jitsugyo's shop carries everything from miso soup to Japanese-style curry, all in rock-hard, moisture-free form. Use the store's free hot water supplier to dig into your space food right then and there. Amano Freeze-Dried Station

Fall in love with scribbling all over again at this specialist stationery shop. Kakimori’s range of pens, inks and letter sets are chosen for comfort of use, while the order-made notebooks come in an infinitely customisable selection of covers, paper and bindings. Kakimori

Regardless of whether you’re just learning the basics of Japanese cuisine or already aiming to become a professional noodle-maker, the lessons here will prove useful. All classes held in English, reservations required. Tsukiji Soba Academy/Tokyo Cooking Studio

Tokyo's bicycle scene still isn't what it could be, but bike-sharing is finally getting some love. Rides are easy to book on your phone and borrowing outposts are numerous within Chiyoda, Koto and Minato wards, including around Tokyo Station. Chiyokuru

Akihabara? These days, the diehard otaku prefer to go to Nakano Broadway and its over 300 shops to get their fix – whether that involves manga, collectible figurines, video games or, er, replica machine guns. Nakano Broadway

Yanagi Soetsu, a central figure in the Japanese folk art movement, created this museum in 1936 to spotlight such mingei pieces. See ceramics, woodwork and other everyday items from Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan, collected at a time when their beauty wasn’t recognised. Japan Folk Crafts Museum

The hamburg, as they call it in Tokyo, is a beef patty served like a steak. This restaurant, found on the second basement floor of Coredo Muromachi 2, specialises in aged wagyu and lets you choose your own mix of meat (beef, pork or mixed) for your hamburg along with a sauce. At dinner time, it turns into an izakaya-style restaurant, but you can still order the hamburg although availability may be limited. Nakasei

The most curious watering hole in Asakusa (if not all of eastern Tokyo), Bonji Bar treats visitors to an extensive collection of hookah pipes and ‘strange liquor’ including snake booze and cannabis vodka. Bonji Bar

Packed with all things kawaii (cute), this kooky café is like a fantastical merry-go-round thanks to the decor by Harajuku heavy-hitter Sebastian Masuda. It features four OTT seating in areas labelled Mushroom Disco, Milk Stand, Bar Experiment and Mel-Tea Room. Kawaii Monster Cafe

Kabukicho’s entertainment options just got better with the launch of this fun new museum that shows off real Japanese samurai armour (you can even try it on and take pics of yourself dressed as a warrior). Each piece has caption info written in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean. Samurai MuseumSponsored venue

Add to your collection at this well-stocked hobby shop, which carries every Tamiya product you could possibly imagine. The range totals around 6,000 different items, including miniature cars, model planes and accessories. Tamiya Plamodel Factory

Head north of Shinjuku and the streets take on a rather different flavour. Welcome to Shin-Okubo, Japan’s biggest Koreatown, and the go-to place for everything from K-Pop to kimchi. Shin-Okubo Koreatown

The old Manseibashi station complex has undergone an impressive revival and this cool café is its most recognisable symbol. Situated right in between the Chuo Line tracks, N3331 is the perfect place to take a train geek for lunch. N3331

Tokyo’s best waterfront brewpub produces a range of Californian-style ales and porters, and the attached restaurant serves up very decent diner fare. A facelift in March 2015 added extra seats and an improved menu. TY Harbor

Japan may be relatively new to the wine-producing party, but it’s already creating some impressive plonk. Jip Wine Bar serves homegrown wine by the glass from a rotating list of 20, plus a range of bottles. Jip Wine Bar

A good falafel joint is hard to find in Tokyo, and it's one of those rare foods that we'd walk halfway across town for. The ¥1,380 falafel lunch set here starts with a small cup of pumpkin soup and moves on to Israeli salad, hummus, falafel, pita and fries. Ta-im

There are only a few places in Tokyo to watch rakugo (comic storytelling), and this venerable Shinjuku theatre is one of them. First-timers should try the Saturday night performances, which cost just ¥500. Suehirotei

Dealing in everything from traditionally dyed fabric to the latest in textile technology and offering a nice selection of clothing and accessories, Nuno is virtually synonymous with superb craftsmanship. Nuno

Waiters dressed as ninjas usher you through a series of winding wooden corridors at this always-memorable theme restaurant. Others sneak up with menus and food, and there’s also an itinerant magician. Ninja

Snoopy and Charlie Brown now have a home away from home in Nakameguro. Peanuts Cafe opened in Oct 2015 and serves up themed dishes, peanut butter milkshakes and limited-edition merchandise. Peanuts Cafe

Shop up an electric storm...

Labi – the ‘city’ version of the ‘country’ electronics chain Yamada Denki – has just launched its concept store near the Yaesu exit of Tokyo Station. Spanning 11 storeys, with each floor called a ‘stage’, this is your new go-to shop for electronic products and services. Tax-free shopping and multilingual guides for foreign tourists available. Concept Labi TokyoSponsored venue

One of Japan’s traditional crafts, Amezaiku is the art of making tiny candy sculptures. Using a special pair of tiny scissors, craftsmen produce detailed chiselled treats, often in the shape of animals. Buy a selection here or head over to the main store in Asakusa, Amezaiku Ameshin, to try a workshop for ¥3,000 (booking essential). Ameshin Tokyo Skytree Town Solamachi branch

Don’t let the dubious name put you off. This trampoline-filled indoor play park lets you bounce around practising flips and tricks, and you can even get a short lesson if you’re unsure how to jump. Trampoland

One of Japan’s most popular sake brands, Dassai has opened this bar on the first basement floor of Tokyo Square Garden. Enjoy the brand’s various types of sake, including sparkling and nigori, and choose from five sake tasting sets, most notably the exclusive Dassai Beyond. Buy your favourite bottle from the inhouse store for later. Dassai Bar 23

Getting premium steak usually means forking out plenty of cash – not so at this popular Ginza standing-only eatery, where the meat is paid for by the gram and prices are around 50% lower than the area average. Ikinari Steak

The main bonus of this hotel is that the rooms come equipped with cooking facilities, but we also love that it's close to Shinjuku Station; you can choose between 'simple' and 'renovated' rooms; and there's an antiques store with Japanese vintage clothing and furniture on the premises. Apartment Hotel Shinjuku

The tasteful decor of this fresh juice shop recalls the classic 'parlours' of the Showa era. At ¥900-¥1,500 per juice, it's a little expensive, but worth it – an entire pack of strawberries goes into one strawberry juice. Maruce

Showing a fascinating mix of movies, particularly indie productions from both Japan and abroad with lots of experimental and short work thrown in as well, Uplink also holds events like talks and live performances. Uplink

Kenzo Tange's domineering building is worth visiting purely to have a good look at its spectacular edifice, but it's also home to a pair of free observation decks that have become a popular stop on many tourist itineraries. Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatories

Combining music, food and art, Living Room Cafe by eplus (one of Japan’s most well-known ticket sellers) opened on July 2015, serving as a place to sit back and listen to live music. It's kind of like chilling at a friend's house. Living Room Cafe by eplus

Its decor might be more fitting for a fancy café than a vinyl store, but this doesn't mean they're not serious about records. They stock more than 3,000 albums, predominantly rock, folk and jazz, mainly imported from California. Be sure to check out the ¥1,000 section, great for uncovering classic rock recordings. Best Sound Records

Assuming that you don’t go there during the New Year celebrations, Tokyo’s largest shrine is a surprisingly relaxing spot to visit – and also the site of a popular ‘power spot’, Kiyomasa’s Well. Meiji Shrine

A fire destroyed this traditional soba shop in February 2013, leading to a lengthy break in operations and much hand-wringing among Tokyo’s buckwheat noodle enthusiasts. Fortunately enough, Yabusoba rose from the ashes in October 2014 and is now back to serving both excellent soba and a wide variety of tasty side dishes. Kanda Yabusoba

This shiny new DJ bar on the top floor of a multi-purpose building in front of Shibuya Station boasts spectacular views, Tokyo scene veterans DJ Nori and Toshiyuki Goto, a top-grade sound system, and reasonably priced drinks. DJ Bar Bridge

Billing itself as Tokyo’s ‘smallest cultural institution’, this renovated house in the traditional Yanaka area includes a café and exhibition space, and also hosts occasional gigs and dance performances. Hagiso

The inventor of the cronut and winner of Time Out New York's 'Best New Bakery' award in 2012, Dominique Ansel brought his pastries to Tokyo in June 2015. Head over for Japan-exclusive cronuts and other artisanal sweets. Dominique Ansel Bakery

It’s all about the burgers at Fire House, with toppings ranging from avocado to apple. If you’re feeling especially hungry, try the ‘Mad Burger’ – three large patties, chilli and cheese, topped with a fried egg. Greasy and delicious. Fire House

Even in the middle of Harajuku, Sebastian Masuda’s lurid pink boutique stands out. This shrine to the ‘shockingly cute’ offers an array of accessories and clothing in some truly eye-popping colours, with motifs such as hearts, stars and unicorns. 6% Dokidoki

An admirably well-stocked art bookshop, Nadiff A/p/a/r/t boasts shelves crammed with Japanese and foreign books, as well as a selection of prints. There’s also a gallery where you can see contemporary works by up-and-coming local artists. Nadiff A/p/a/r/t

Found in Nishi-Azabu, this stylish Japanese tea shop offers top quality leaves and a seated counter area where you can enjoy the ‘course of Japanese tea’ along with a variety of wagashi (traditional sweets). Souen Sakurai Japanese Tea Experience

Tokyo’s joggers are well served by this pitstop close to the Imperial Palace running track. Stash your kit, take a post-run shower, or rent a T-shirt and trainers if you’ve come under-equipped. Raffine Running Style

Tokyo’s main kabuki theatre has stood on the same spot for over 120 years, but its present incarnation is rather newer than that – it only opened in April 2013. The souvenir shop is worth a look, too. Kabukiza Theatre

This intriguing coffee shop is actually just a cube frame that can’t be much bigger than 3 x 3 metres. But this is a spot with a difference: it sits inside a 60-year-old traditional Japanese house. Omotesando Koffee

Spanning five floors, this vast store is the place for creative types to pick up pretty much any art supply they can imagine, be it paint, pencils, brushes, design materials, stationery, modelling clay or more. Sekaido

This kilometre of lush towpath, which stretches from Todoroki Station toward the children’s park, is popular but never crowded. When the weather’s good, there can be few more refreshing spots in the capital. Todoroki Valley

A hip darts bar with an even hipper 'i TOWER' drinks machine that serves a cocktail of Hennesy Cognac and iced black tea. Look out for seasonal events – Halloween and Christmas are the obvious ones, of course, but in summer join in the traditional Japanese 'flowing noodle' event. i Darts TokyoSponsored venue

December 2014 marked the 100th anniversary of Tokyo Station whose red-brick facade is a prominent reminder of Japan’s rush to modernisation in the early 20th century – and it’s looking even better after its six-year restoration, completed in 2012. Tokyo Station